Novelty container



J. A. RUSKIN NOVELTY CONTAINER April 29,1930.

Filed April 20, 1929 Patented Apr. 29, 1930 J'OSEPH A. RUSKIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS NOVELTY CONTAINER Application filed April 20,

This invention relates and more or other to novelty containers particularly to a container for gifts articles formed and constructed to imitate a closed book in every detail of outward appearance. An object of the invention, therefore, is the provision of a novelty container having the appearance, and in certain particulars the structure of a book, but provided interiorly with a recess or chamber for the reception of a gift or other article.

A further object is the provision of an improved main body portion in a device of this character, formed to closely imitate the exposed edges of the pages of a book when closed.

A further object is the provision of an improved hinge construction by means of which the movable cover is hingedly secured to the body of the device.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

e'invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device with the top cover in open position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially through the center of the device with the movable cover in partially v closed position;

Flg. 3 i s'a perspective view of the recessed body portion showing the hinge material recelvmg groove and the detached retaining strip; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged upon the section shown in ig. 2, showing the hinge construction in eater detail.

In the preferred em odiment of the invention illustrated, the main portion 6 is perspective, taken bodg' I preferably formed of a single 'lock of wood,

shape of the pages or equivalent material, and is formed, as to the outer surfaces,

to closely reproduce the of a book when closed. Thus,'edge portion 7 is concave in simulation of the corresponding portion of a closed book;

the opposite portion 8 convex; and edge portion 9 is substantially flat as is the corre- 1929. Serial No. 356,844.

sponding edge portion opposite edge portion 9. Edge portions 7, 9 and the edge portion opposite portion 9 are grooved with finely cut serrations or ribs. Whenusing a block of wood or similar material, these ribs may be formed by the cutters or saws and thus, particularly when painted or gilded, have every outward appearance of book pa es. The convex edge portion 8, ormed to reproduce the backbone or thickened portion where the book leaves are folded, has a lower ridge 10 and an upper ridge 11. Adjacent upper ridge 11 is a longitudinal groove 12 adapted to receive a retaining strip 13, and preferably the groove 12 and also the retaining strip are slightly tapered, as shown in Figure 2, to cause a wedgmg action when assembled. as hereinafter described. The main body portion 6 is recessed or chambered as at 14 for the reception of a gift or any desired object, in such manner as to be completely concealed when the top cover is closed, and it will be apparent that the recess or chamber 14 may. assume any desired shape or size according to the particular article to be enclosed or a (plurality of recesses may be formed as desire The bottom cover may be formed of a piece of cardboard 15 having the exposed surface cover with imitation leather 16, or similar material, the inturned edges of which may be covered by a paper linin 17. The entire lower cover is then prefera ly glued or otherwise secured to the main body portion 6. The artificial leather covering 16 is then continued around the back portion 8 to form a flexible back covering 18, preferably glued to portion 8, and covering 18 is continued to form the upper covering surface 19 of the upper hinge cover constructed similarly to the lower cover of a cardboard filler 20 and an inner paper lining 21.

The novel method of providing a hinge for the upper cover consists in utilizing a continuation of a fabric fly paper 22, the inner edge of which is forced into groove 12, by retaining strip 13, glued in place, and is then continued as at 23 a short distance to overlap cardboard portion 20 and the fabric edge portion23 are then covered by the upper paper limng 21;

It will thus be seen that a very efii ient and durable hin'gejoint is provided between the 5 upper cover and the remainder of the device, and by utilizing a continuation of the fly page 22, which is preferably composed of fabric material, the provision of an efficient hinge for the upper cover does not require material change in solid body portion 6 and when painted or gilted as above described, the retaining strip and groove are entirely unnoticeable. By having the entire body portion 6 thus constructed of one solid block, the exposed edge portions can be made to more closely imitate the exposed edge portions of the pages of a book by the provision ofsmal ribs or grooves as described.

While I have described and illustrated the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into eifect,'this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. 1, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modification as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the class described, comprising a main body portion provided with an article receiving recess, a lower cover secured to said body portion, said body portion provided on its upper surface with a groove, a retaining strip adapted for insertion in said groove, an u per cover, and fly page having a portion 0 one edge projectin into said groove and held in place by sai retaining I strip, a continuation of said fly page secured to said u percover whereby to hingedly mount sai upper cover, substantially as de'- scribed.- a 2. Adevice of the class described, com rismg a mam body portion provided wit an artlcle receiving recess, a lower cover secured to said body portion, said body portion provided on its upper surface with a groove, a retaining strip adapted for insertion in said groove, an upper cover, a fly page having a portlon of one edge pro'ectmg into said groove and held in place by sa1d retain-ing strip, a continuation of said fly page secured to said upper cover whereby to hingedly mount said upper cover, the exposed edges of said body portion provided with grooves in imitation of the pages of a closed book, substantially as described.

3. A device of the class described, comprisarticle receiving recess, one edge of said body portlon formed convex and the opposite edge formed concave, a flexible covering for sa1d convex portion, a 'lower cover secured to 1 its upper surface with a groove,

provided with grooves ing a main body portion provided with ansaid body portion, said body portion provided on its upper surface with a groove, a retaining strip adapted for insertion in said groove, an upper cover, and a fly page-having a portion of one edge projecting into said groove and held in place by said retaining strip, a continuation of said fly page secured to said upper cover whereby to hingedly mount said upper cover, substantially as described.

4. A device of the class described, comprising a main body portion provided with an article receiving recess, one edge of said body portion formed convex and the opposite edge formed concave, a flexible covering for sa1d convex portion, a lower cover secured to said body portion, said body portion provided on a retaining strip adapted for insertion in said groove, an upper cover, a fly page having a portion of one edge projecting into said groove and held in place by said retaining strip, a continuation of said fly page secured to said upper cover whereby to hingedly mount said upper cover, the exposed edges of said body portion in imitation of the pages of a closed book, scribed.

5. In a device of the class described, a body portion composed of a block of 'wood provided with an article receiving recess, said body portion provided with a groove upon the upper surface, and a retaining strip adapted to e inserted in said groove for confining a hinge forming fabric, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

JOSEPH A. RUSKIN.

substantially as de- I 

